Kazan, the capital city of Tatarstan, Russia, hosted Wednesday an opening ceremony of the international multi-sport event “BRICS Sports Games Kazan 2024”.

Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports of Russia addressed the event.

The ceremony featured a video highlighting Russia’s path of development, followed by a parade of the flag bearers of countries participating in the Games. The Azerbaijani tricolor was carried by Ziya Mammadzada, silver and bronze medalist of the Amber Oars international regatta, gold medalist of the President-Cup-2015 international regatta.

Then, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the participants in a video format, wishing them success and declaring the games open.

The athletes and referees then took part in the oath-taking ceremony.

The international multi-sport event brings together about 5,000 athletes from the BRICS countries and invited states. Participants will compete in 29 sports vying for 387 sets of prizes in Kazan.

A total of 97 Azerbaijani sportsmen will join 11 sports disciplines, including rowing, canoeing, fencing, judo, table tennis, karate, sambo and different types of wrestling.